Southern Mine - King Tract

King Tract, LLC has requested environmental permits from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to construct and operate a proposed sand/clay mine off Sewee Road, approximately 5.0 miles southwest of Awendaw, SC, in Charleston County. 

After careful consideration of all comments and information received from concerned citizens and local, state and federal agencies, DHEC has determined that the Southern Mine – King Tract can comply with the South Carolina Mining Act and applicable coastal zone consistency, water, and mining regulations.  Having made this determination, and being in receipt of the required reclamation bond, DHEC has approved the mine application and is issuing Mine Operating Permit I-002242 for the Southern Mine – King Tract.  The final mine permit, maps, reclamation plan, and a summary response to comments are available below.  Documents related to issuance of the coastal zone consistency and water permits are also available below. 

DHEC appreciates the interest, engagement, and comments received from all our stakeholders during the environmental permitting process for the Southern Mine – King Tract

Mining 

DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) received an application for a mine operating permit for the proposed Southern Mine- King Tract on September 9, 2018. Documents used in the BLWM permitting process are available below:

The BLWM placed the mine operating permit application on public notice and began accepting public comments in March 2019. The BLWM completed review of all information and public comments received in writing, as well as those shared during the DHEC public hearing held on October 10, 2019. Additional information provided by the applicant was also reviewed.

Questions about the mine operating permit and the BLWM’s permitting process may be directed to: 

Haley Smarr 
Phone: (803) 898-3887 
Email: smarrha@dhec.sc.gov 

Coastal Zone Consistency 

DHEC issues Coastal Zone Consistency (CZC) certifications of state permits that operate in the coastal zone of South Carolina.  The certification is issued through DHEC’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) and is based on the enforceable policies contained within the SC Coastal Zone Management Program.  OCRM’s certification is provided to DHEC’s Mining permitting program prior to a final decision on either a permit or general permit being made. 

The OCRM has determined that the Southern Mine- King Tract meets the requirements for CZC. OCRM’s CZC is available below:  

Questions about the CZC certification and the OCRM’s certification process may be directed to: 

Christopher Stout 
Phone: (843) 953-0691 
Email: stoutcm@dhec.sc.gov 

Water Quality 

DHEC issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to minimize environmental impacts from stormwater runoff and other water discharges that may occur during construction and operation of a facility. 

In January 2020, DHEC’s Bureau of Water (BOW) received a Notice of Intent requesting a modification to the Southern Mine – King Tract under the general NPDES permit “Discharges Associated with Nonmetal Mineral Mining Facilities.”   

The BOW has determined that the Southern Mine – King Tract meets the requirements for continued coverage under the its general permit and granted the modification on June 19, 2020.  Documents used in the BOW’s permitting process are available below: 

Questions about the NPDES permit and the BOW’s permitting process may be directed to: 

Brett Caswell 
Phone: (803) 898-4396 
Email: caswelbm@dhec.sc.gov 

Community Engagement and Resources 

On October 10, 2019, DHEC held a public hearing to accept written and verbal comments on the mine operating permit application. The following presentation was given at the public hearing: 

DHEC staff were available before and after the public hearing to listen and discuss concerns about the proposed mine from local residents.   

Questions about community engagement in DHEC’s BLWM permitting processes may be directed to: 

Donna Moye 
Phone: (803) 898-1382 
Email: moyedd@dhec.sc.gov 

Local DHEC Contacts 

To speak with local DHEC staff, please contact Jonathan Summa in our Lowcountry Environmental Affairs Office at (843) 953-0150. 

For information on current or previous sites of public interest, visit DHEC's Environmental Sites of Interest webpage.